Cambodia and Thailand - October, 2005 Asia Trip Home Page
End of the Trip
From Phnom Penh we flew back to Bangkok for a couple of days, and then returned to Alaska via China Airlines. We have included both of our Bangkok segments on the Bangkok page so there is no new material here.
This page contains a miscellaneous collection of impressions, recommendations, advice and the like.
1. Don't make any travel arrangements with a Bangkok travel agency unless you have no choice. If you must, insist that they book what you are requesting. Don't be dissuaded from following your plan. They will try to send you to areas they know, where they have relationships. This is perfectly logical from their point of view but it's your vacation.
2. We have already ranted about the heat but really and truly, if you are going to go, do it in the cooler months. More accurately, the less hot months.
3. You are expected to bargain for anything with virtually anyone in both countries. This is a pain in the butt after a while, but to get a competitive price it is necessary. However, there are a couple of exceptions that, in retrospect, we would make. If we had it to do over, we would pay the asking price without bargaining in the following circumstances: 1. To hill tribe vendors in the village, except ridiculously commercial settings like the village on Doi Suthep, 2. To any vendor outside the ruins at Angkor Wat...or at least bargain very gently. They need the money and generally there is only $1 or so under discussion, 3. To a tuk-tuk or moto driver anywhere in Cambodia. Sure, you'll pay too much but again, the amounts are small and they are undoubtedly more meaningful to the driver than they are to you.
On the other hand, bargain as hard as you want in most of the commercial markets in both countries, although you may want to be a bit less hard-nosed in Cambodia.
4. Do use Bangkok Airways if they are going your way and the budget can handle it. They were great.
5. Don't let a Bangkok tuk-tuk driver take you anywhere you don't want to go. Hustles and scams are rampant.
6. Be patient with beggars and give most of them money. There is little or no social welfare system in Cambodia. Giving will not solve the problems but it may make their lives a little easier that day. We were less sympathetic to the beggars in Thailand and have no recommendations for them. Use your own judgment.
7. Don't be put off by our comments about the heat and street pressure in Cambodia. If you are interested, you should go. Just be realistic and informed. We could have been better prepared, mentally and with our expectations.
8. Do use the Lonely Planet for both countries. Although the LP books are best for pretty low-to-the-ground travel, they have more information than other publishers. Do use the books for useful information but question everything, make your own observations and go your own way.